The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-24
MARION'S BUSINESS BOOM.
Grant County's Chief Town Offers Induce
ments to Manufacturing Companies.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MARION, March 23.-An enthusiastic citizens
meeting was keii here last evening. the purpose
of which was to devise means to advance the
growth and prosperity Of the town. The de-
velopment Of the natural-eas field here has kim
died spirit Of enterprise that promises
to take on form and substance in the shape of
factories. furnaces shops. and mills innumer-
able. At the meeting, which was held last even
ing in the Probate Court room. the progressive
element and spirit of the city in all professions
and trades were out en- masse Hon.
Rufus Bailey was chosen to preside,
and W. H. Sanders acted as score
tary. Representatives of both the rival
cas- companies were present, and indicated what
they would do to contribute to the general boom.
Miles Murphy, speaking for the Marion Coal-gas
Company, said that for any manufacturing en-
terprise that would locate here. and employ 800
hands or over. they (the coaIgas company
would bore a we'll, pipe the establishment. and
then give a deed to the we'll for nothing.
Smaller manufacturing enterprises locating
here they would furnish gas free for given
number of years. AS pay for this extraordi-
nary offer the company ex poets to add handsome
ly to the list Of its private consumers.
The Missisoinewa Mining Company. by its
president, Philip Matter, promised to furnish
free fuel and light to any live enterprise that
would come here. Both companies offer to re-
duce their propositions to writing and give bon
for the faithful performance thereof
The water-works board also agreed to give to
enterprises locating here free water for the next
FIVE years. Free light, free fuel and free water
in unlimited quantities are thus held out to all
Corners.
1t was agreed on all hands that the greatest
| essential is to have the advantages which Marion
| laid hafnr fho y,rhl liz md no will
naturally follow. To this end citizens i'm
provement committee, consisting of fifteen OF
| the foremost and best-known resi-
dents dents. of u. Marion was appointed ; ts
information, and to raise funds to defray the ex
pense of portraying Marion's attractions to the
world. The members of this committee are
Major George w. Steele, A. P. Wright. William
| Lenfestey, Robert Horne, George Sweitser. B.
r. Norman. o. II. Keller, VIM. c. Webster. M
| Bumenthal, j. B. Lyle. George Gunder. Simon
| Goldthwait, j. A. Gauntt w. W. McCleery and
| j. II. Wigger. This committee was authorized
to report at another citizens meeting, to be held
| next Tuesday evening
| The booming tendency of natural gas Is seer
| on every hand Work is abundant, and rea
! estate is on the rise. Yesterday farm Of 81
acres in the North-town limits was sold to Gin
cinnati syndicate. and 40 acres of it will be plat
| ted at once. Options have been placed
| dozen other farms in the suburbs, and the mex
| thirty days will the liveliest turning ove
| in real estate that Marion has ever experienced
The fame of the gas find here has extended &c
| the most remote sections Scores of visitors
| arrive daily. and the gas companies and bust
| ness men are deluged with letters from manu-
facturers who contemplate removal to the gas
| belt.
The cheapness with which gas can be fur
nished is almost incredible. The past year the
| Spencer House here expended $1,000 for heat
| and light They have contracted for the coming
year for 5000. Last year the court-hous,
| paid 5000 for light and Their
contract for the coming year calls for only $94
One saloon, which expended 1868 last year fo
gas and fuel, will be heated and lighted the com
ing year for $40. Contracts for heating ant
lighting private houses are being made at from
SIS to $25 per year.
With unexcelled railroad facilities, unlimited
water, timber, limestone, gravel, sand and all
the gas that can be consumed for heat and light
at prices next to nothing. Marions future pros
poets are deciGedly roseate